ENGINE FLUID LINE WITH FLEXIBLE JOINT
A vehicle fluid line for transporting high and low pressure fluids of an engine includes a rigid pipe having opposing ends configured to fixedly couple with the engine. An adjustable joint divides a length of the rigid tube into first and second segments. The adjustable joint has a cylindrical housing coupled with the first segment and having an inner diameter. A stop feature protrudes from an outer diameter of the second segment and interfaces with the cylindrical housing to prevent disengagement of the second segment from the housing. An elastomeric grommet is seated between the inner and outer diameters and is configured to maintain a fluid seal that allows the second segment to rotate axially, pivot radially, and slide longitudinally within the cylindrical housing.
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The present invention generally relates to a flexible engine fluid line, and more particularly to a flexible joint for a vehicle engine fluid line.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIt is generally understood that vehicle engines have various fluid lines, including those that transport oil, coolant, and other potentially high pressure fluids. Typically, high production vehicles utilize flexible hoses that accommodate thermal distortion between components of the engine, as well as production variances that result in inconsistent locations and positions of the connection points for fluid transportation. These flexible hoses can have a relatively high cost and in some cases can have decreased performance near local high temperature heat sources. Alternatively, rigid fluid lines can be difficult to implement in high production vehicles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle fluid line for transporting high pressure fluids of an engine includes a rigid pipe having opposing ends configured to fixedly couple with the engine. An adjustable joint divides a length of the rigid pipe into first and second segments. The adjustable joint has a cylindrical housing coupled with the first segment. A stop feature protrudes from an outer diameter of the second segment and interfaces with the cylindrical housing to prevent disengagement of the second segment from the housing. An elastomeric grommet is seated between an inner diameter of the cylindrical housing and the outer diameter of the second segment and is configured to maintain a fluid seal that allows the second segment to rotate and slide longitudinally within the cylindrical housing.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle fluid line includes a rigid pipe and a fluid sealed, adjustable joint dividing a length of the rigid pipe into first and second segments. The joint has a housing coupled with the first segment. The joint also includes an end portion of the second segment slidably and rotatably engaged within the housing. A protrusion on the end portion and a catch on the housing interface to limit slidable adjustment of the length.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle fluid line includes first and second segments of a rigid pipe. A housing is coupled with an end of the first segment, and an end portion of the second segment is rotatably and slidably engaged within a cylindrical cavity of the housing. A grommet is disposed between the end portion and the cylindrical cavity forming a seal. A protrusion on an exterior of the end portion prevents disengagement of the housing from the end portion.
These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
In the drawings:
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
Referring to
Referring now to
As also shown in
The embodiment of the vehicle fluid line 10 shown in
Referring now to
As shown in
As illustrated in
The opposing ends 16 of the vehicle fluid line 10, as illustrated in
Referring now to
In assembling the adjustable joint 18, the cylindrical housing 26 is fixedly coupled with the end of the first segment 22 and the protrusion is similarly rigidly coupled with the end portion 28 of the second segment 24 using attachment means such as welding, brazing, thermal expansion and shrink-fitting, friction welding, adhesives and/or cementing compounds, and additional attachment means as generally understood in the art, and combinations thereof. It is also conceivable that the cylindrical housing 26 could be formed into the base tube 22. The elastomeric grommet 30 is then seated around the end portion 28 of the second segment 24 and the second segment 24 is then inserted into the cylindrical cavity of the housing 26 until the elastomeric grommet 30 abuts the seal stop 54. The elastomeric grommet 30 may alternatively be inserted into the housing 26 in abutting contact with the seal stop 54 and then the end portion 28 of the second segment 24 may be inserted coaxially into the cylindrical cavity of the housing 26 into engagement with the elastomeric grommet 30 and abutting the protrusion thereon with the elastomeric grommet 30. Once attaining this position, the catch feature 36 is formed by crimping, bending, or otherwise forming protrusions into the cylindrical cavity of the housing 26 to prevent disengagement of the elastomer grommet and disengagement of the end portion 28 of the second segment 24 from the housing 26.
As illustrated in
Also, as illustrated in
Further, axial rotatable movement of the adjustable joint 18, as shown in the embodiment of
It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described invention and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the invention disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.
It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the invention as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.
It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present invention. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.
It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
Claims
1. A vehicle fluid line for transporting pressurized fluids of an engine, comprising:
- a rigid pipe having opposing ends configured to fixedly couple with the engine;
- an adjustable joint dividing a length of the rigid pipe into first and second segments and comprising: a cylindrical housing coupled with the first segment and having an inner diameter; a stop feature protruding from an outer diameter of the second segment that interfaces with the cylindrical housing to prevent disengagement of the second segment from the housing; and an elastomeric grommet seated between the inner and outer diameters that is configured to maintain a fluid seal and allow the second segment to rotate and slide longitudinally within the cylindrical housing.
2. The vehicle fluid line of claim 1, wherein the adjustable joint further comprises:
- a catch feature protruding radially inward from the inner diameter that is configured to interface with the protrusion for preventing disengagement from the housing; and
- a seal stop protruding radially inward from the inner diameter on an opposite side of the stop feature from the catch feature that is configured to interface with the protrusion for preventing over-insertion of the second segment into the housing.
3. The vehicle fluid line of claim 2, wherein the rigid pipe is extendable from a first length having the stop feature interfacing with the seal stop and a longer second length with the stop feature interfacing with the catch feature, defining a range of longitudinal movement between the first and second segments.
4. A vehicle fluid line, comprising:
- a rigid pipe;
- a fluid sealed, adjustable joint dividing a length of the rigid pipe into first and second segments and comprising: a housing coupled with the first segment; an end portion of the second segment slidably and rotatably engaged within the housing; and a protrusion on the end portion and a catch on the housing that interface to limit slidable adjustment of the length.
5. The vehicle fluid line of claim 4, wherein the end portion is coaxially arranged within a cylindrical interior cavity of the housing.
6. The vehicle fluid line of claim 4, wherein the end portion includes a tubular shape and is an integral piece of the second segment of the rigid pipe.
7. The vehicle fluid line of claim 4, wherein the catch protrudes radially inward from an outer edge of the housing and is configured to abut the protrusion for limiting slidable movement within the housing.
8. The vehicle fluid line of claim 4, further comprising:
- a grommet disposed between the end portion and the housing that is configured to maintain a fluid seal between the first and second segments upon slidable and rotatable movement of the end portion with the housing.
9. The vehicle fluid line of claim 4, wherein a distance between the first and second segments is linearly extendable from a first length having the protrusion abutting the catch and a shorter second length with the stop feature longitudinally spaced from the catch feature and contained within the housing.
10. The vehicle fluid line of claim 4, wherein the housing includes a seal stop protruding radially inward from an interior diameter of the housing on an opposite side of the protrusion from the catch, together with the catch defining a range of longitudinal movement between the first and second segments.
11. The vehicle fluid line of claim 10, further comprising:
- an elastomeric grommet disposed around the end portion between the protrusion and the seat stop forming a fluid seal between the end portion and the housing that is configured for telescoping, angular, and rotational movement of the end portion within the housing.
12. A vehicle fluid line, comprising:
- first and second segments of a rigid pipe;
- a housing coupled with an end of the first segment;
- an end portion of the second segment rotatably and slidably engaged within a cylindrical cavity of the housing;
- a grommet disposed between the end portion and the cylindrical cavity forming a seal; and
- a protrusion on an exterior of the end portion that prevents disengagement of the housing therefrom.
13. The vehicle fluid line of claim 12, wherein the end portion is coaxially engaged within the cylindrical cavity of the housing.
14. The vehicle fluid line of claim 13, wherein the end portion includes a tubular shape and is an integral piece of the second segment.
15. The vehicle fluid line of claim 12, further comprising:
- a catch feature protruding radially inward from the cylindrical cavity that is configured to abut the protrusion for preventing disengagement from the housing and for limiting slidable movement therein.
16. The vehicle fluid line of claim 15, wherein the catch feature includes a plurality of indentations around an exterior surface of the housing defining a corresponding plurality of projections on the cylindrical cavity.
17. The vehicle fluid line of claim 15, further comprising:
- a seal stop protruding radially inward from the cylindrical cavity on an opposite side of the protrusion from the catch feature that is configured to interface with the protrusion for preventing over-insertion of the second segment into the housing.
18. The vehicle fluid line of claim 17, wherein the seal stop includes a continuous ridge extending around the cylindrical cavity defining an opening slightly greater than a diameter of the end portion.
19. The vehicle fluid line of claim 17, wherein the seal stop is configured to restrict longitudinal sliding movement of the grommet beyond the seal stop and permit longitudinal sliding movement of the end portion beyond the seal stop.
20. The vehicle fluid line of claim 17, wherein a distance between the first and second segments is linearly extendable from a first length having the protrusion interfacing with the seal stop and a longer second length with the protrusion interfacing with the catch feature.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 19, 2014
Publication Date: Aug 20, 2015
Patent Grant number: 9551443
Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Dearborn, MI)
Inventors: Anthony Shane Hale (Plymouth, MI), William Michael Sanderson (Milan, MI)
Application Number: 14/183,956